A giant of the game

Six-time world snooker champ and first Pot Black winner dies aged 91

- PHIL CARDY

RAY Reardon, who swapped the depths of a coal mine for the dizzy heights of snooker greatness, has died aged 91.

The charismatic giant of the game, who was a six-time world champion, was loved by millions of fans for his brilliance on the table and his good humour off it.

He became the sport's first world number one and won the first edition of the BBC's snooker show Pot Black in 1969 - which most viewers watched in black and white.

Welsh Ray, nicknamed Dracula due to his widow's peak hairstyle, died on Friday after battling cancer, his wife Carol confirmed.

Snooker player Jimmy White said: "Gutted to hear my very good friend Ray Reardon has passed away. A total class act and very kind to me when I was making my way in the game. A giant of the game. Rest in peace, mate."